Katherine Coffin Mills

FARMINGTON -- Katherine "Kay" Louise Coffin Mills, age 93, died in Farmington on Monday, Oct. 4, 2010, surrounded by her grandson Anthony and her daughters Dora Anne and Janet.

She was born Feb. 24, 1917, on her parents' potato farm in Ashland, the daughter of Laurence C. and Katherine (Trafton) Coffin.

Kay was raised in Ashland, where she was valedictorian of the Ashland High School class of 1934. She attended Ricker Junior College in Houlton, and then Colby College, from which she graduated in 1939. In 1972, Kay received her master's degree in English from the University of Maine at Orono.

During her early years after college, she taught in Warren, South Paris, and Farmington high schools, commencing a long and distinguished career teaching high school English, Latin, and public speaking to thousands of Maine youth.

In June of 1941 she married S. Peter Mills Jr., and they made their home in his hometown of Farmington, a community she loved and in which she remained active until the end of her life. They divorced in October 1975. While her husband served as a Navy officer in World War II, she continued to teach until she stayed home to raise her children.

While at home with her children, she supported or provided leadership in many of their pursuits, including Scouting, music, and drama activities. As her children grew older, she resumed teaching, first in Gorham from 1960 to 1962, where the family lived for several years in the 1950s and early 1960s, while her husband served as U.S. attorney for Maine. After the family's return to Farmington, she taught at Wilton Academy from 1963 to 1969 and then at Mt. Blue High School, from where she retired as the head of the English Department in 1991 after a total of 35 years teaching. Known for her enthusiastic classroom teaching style and dedication to helping students learn to write well, she also became a mentor and public speaking coach for many, and motivator for them to pursue higher education.

During her retirement years, Kay continued her journey with zest. With a close group of friends and family, she played tennis regularly; traveled widely abroad and in the United States; volunteered for various charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and children's reading groups at the library; and cared for her children and grandchildren. She was always alert to opportunities to share a song on the piano, read a good book, or play cards and Scrabble with family and friends. Her singing and laughter filled her home and the hearts of those who knew her.

She also pursued her interest in public affairs by working in the political campaigns of her husband, son Peter and her daughter Janet. For several years until 2007, she also served as chairwoman of the Women's Legislative Caucus organization.

She was also active in many area civic organizations, serving as president of the Monday Club, and as an active member of the Old South United Church of Christ (Congregational) Church, AAUW, Delta Kappa Gamma, Business and Professional Women (BPW), the Farmington Historical Society and the Farmington Grange. She was also active in the Shorey Chapel in Allens Mills.

She is survived by her children, S. Peter Mills III and his wife, Nancy, of Cornville, David Pearson Mills of Farmington, Janet Trafton Mills and her husband, Stanley Kuklinski, of Farmington, Paul Harland Mills of Farmington, and Dora Anne Mills and her husband, Michael J. Fiori, of Brunswick; her grandchildren, Lt. Katherine Coffin Mills, stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany, Alice Mills Verstrat and her husband, Justin Verstrat, and Ruth Mills Cariani and her husband, Jeffrey Cariani, of North Carolina, and Anthony David Mills Fiori and Julia Katherine Mills Fiori of Brunswick. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Jasper Verstrat, Margaret Verstrat, Isaac Cariani, and Julian Mills; her sister-in-law, Inger Coffin; her niece, Betsey Coffin; and her nephews, Roger Bates and Donald Bates. She is also survived by six stepgranddaughters, Alison Nelson, Coleen Lehigh, Tammy Viles, Kristen Kuklinski, Lisl May and Michela Fiori.

She was predeceased by her former husband, S. Peter Mills Jr.; her longtime companion, Richard B. Gould; her sister, Dora Jean Coffin Bates; and her brother, Lewis Charles Coffin.

The family would like to thank the Pierce House residents, family, and staff, who provided a wonderful home her last three years.

Family and friends are invited to call from 5 to 7 p.m. next Thursday, Oct. 14, at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road (U.S. Route 2 and Route 27), Farmington. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, Oct. 15, at Old South Congregational Church, Main Street, Farmington, with the Revs. Kimberly Hoare and John Tolman co-officiating. Following services, a family reception will be held in the church vestry, hosted by the Parish Fellowship. All are welcome.

Those who desire may give remembrance gifts to the Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry (FAEM), Attn.: Heating Fund, P.O. Box 147, Farmington, ME 04938. Private family committal services will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Farming-ton.

Tributes and condolences may be shared with her family at www.wilesrc.com.